Can Tapering Off Alcohol Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?

This is a staggering number considering that many other drugs do not even have the possibility of lethal withdrawals. For this reason, experts advise that alcohol cessation be monitored safely with steady effort between oneself and a physician. The amount of alcohol it takes to cause withdrawal symptoms can vary from person to person. For this reason, you should always talk to your doctor before attempting to quit drinking. Tapering is meant to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from quitting alcohol, but this isn’t a guarantee. As mentioned above, many people will still experience some level of withdrawal, just to a lesser degree.

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Withdrawal usually begins 6 to 8 hours after the last drink and peaks within 72 hours. There are many other potential diseases that long-term alcohol use can cause, and it is important to stop using alcohol heavily if you are. A taper may help you to get off of alcohol; however, medical detox is typically recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. It can be tempting to throw yourself into an alternative behavior or substance use in order to distract from the difficulties of recovery.

Minimized Risk of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

• As you navigate this question, it can be helpful to think about how you typically prefer to approach change.
• Any medications being used to treat a current problem are dangerous to stop taking without discussing first with your health care provider.
• Opioid receptors dull pain, but they also cause the release of dopamine, a natural chemical tied to reward.
• That said, there are now several medications that can help reduce your cravings and make weaning off alcohol easier.
• Although, you’ll need support if you want to successfully and safely taper at home.
• A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process.

The reason for this is that alcohol withdrawal symptoms can quickly snowball and worsen. Mild anxiety, for example, can turn into overwhelming agitation or even hallucinations. When symptoms become that serious, it can be difficult to seek help. Seeking help as early as possible during the withdrawal process is the best way to stay safe as you cleanse your body of alcohol. It can be tempting to just “rip off the Band-Aid” when getting sober, but tapering off alcohol is often much safer—and much less stressful. Rather than quitting drinking abruptly (or “cold turkey”), many professionals recommend gradually reducing your drinking (or tapering) over time.

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Quitting cold turkey is the preferred method of withdrawal, but only if done under medical supervision, where symptoms can be treated as they occur. Although it is possible for some to quit drinking without any side effects, it leads to painful alcohol withdrawal symptoms for most. In fact, some withdrawal side effects can be fatal without the right treatment. If you have tried to quit in the past, but the side effects of withdrawal caused you to drink again just to find relief, tapering off alcohol may be more effective. Making a schedule to slowly reduce your alcohol intake is a safe way to taper off the substance. This will ensure that you are not quitting cold turkey which could result in severe and debilitating  withdrawal symptoms or even death.

• This condition most often occurs when someone who has long-term alcohol dependence stops drinking cold turkey.
• The best schedule varies based on how much you drink each day and your overall health.
• This can help address the habitual aspect of drinking, like having a beverage in hand at social events without the alcohol content.
• A direct taper means drinking the regular substance of choice but lowering the amount consumed daily.
• They can provide recommendations to help you avoid harmful side effects.

What if my medication is causing side effects? Is it okay to stop?

It is important to note that alcohol tapers are generally not recommended as the best way to stop using alcohol. Most healthcare professionals recommend a medically-assisted detox as the best way to get off alcohol. This method is safer than abruptly stopping alcohol consumption, especially when switching from hard liquor to beer.

Instead, slowly cutting back on your drinking or using an alcohol tapering schedule is a safer method to become sober. Consultation with a medical professional or recovery coach is strongly recommended. For people with moderate to severe alcohol addiction, utilizing an alcohol detox center is always the safest option.

Keep the big picture in mind through a goal such as reducing your drinking overall in a week, month, or year,” Dr Lee said. “Using a medication such as naltrexone increases the overall chances that people can cut down or quit,” Lee said. Stopping alcohol can be rewarding, but it’s not without challenges. You may face social pressure, ingrained habits, and emotional reliance on alcohol. Moreover, physical withdrawal can be challenging, and there’s also a phenomenon called the kindling effect to consider. We have taken the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission of the Coronavirus to those in our treatment programs, allowing them to focus on their recovery.

A doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine as part of the tapering process. An effective tapering schedule may include cutting out one drink at a time at regular intervals. It might help to set goals and reward yourself when you reach them. During medical detox, you are closely monitored round the clock by medical staff who can intervene if withdrawal symptoms become severe. An alcohol taper should only be undertaken under the supervision of a medical professional. Having said that, gaining an awareness of the principles of an alcohol taper can help you when determining how to detox from alcohol by tapering off.

An alcohol taper can be effective in beginning recovery and help set a realistic goal for those not ready to quit alcohol completely, but they’re not for everyone. Someone who has been drinking heavily for a long period may struggle with cravings and alcohol withdrawal sober house symptoms, leading to relapse. When done under medical supervision, tapering off alcohol has few downsides. However, tapering can sometimes be unsafe if you attempt to do so on your own without a doctor’s knowledge. For example, if you start to suffer from alcohol withdrawal symptoms despite an attempt to taper, your symptoms may worsen before you have the chance to seek medical attention.

Medical detox may include psychological support to address the emotional aspects of addiction and help individuals prepare for ongoing treatment. If you or someone you know needs help detoxing from alcohol, The Recovery Village Ridgefield Drug and Alcohol Rehab is here for you. Contact us today to speak with a representative and begin on the road to lasting addiction recovery.

There are multiple health benefits you can experience when you start drinking less alcohol. The exact benefits will depend on how much alcohol you were drinking and on factors such as your genetics, overall health, and how your body responds. But drinking less is always a good choice for your body and health.